Why don't they only give the top half of the field a medal in HM's and marathon

Why should I not get medal just because I'm a slow runner? I've trained as hard as everyone eles, I've raised hundreds for my charity, I will turn up on the day and I will finish. It may take me 3 hours to complete my first ever half marathon in two weeks time, but I will most certainly have earnt myself a medal for my efforts!

How dare you judge me David! You know nothing about me, my life or my training. You are implying I am carrying a little more weight than I should be, a massive assumption to make, just because i run slow, it doesnt make me fat. There are just some of us in life who weren't built for running but we give it a go anyway, we do it because we enjoy it and not because we want to be the next Paula Radcliffe, it about taking part and achieving something not winning. You need to take your head out of your own a***! And maybe try showing a little respect, encouragement and support to your fellow runners, you never know we may just fly past you and beat you to the finish line!

I hear what your saying, but as a new member on the forum I haven't had time to read all the treads and find out about this guy. So maybe he should be careful what he says as it can be very offensive to people. If what he said was in person he'd have been introduced to the palm of my hand, there is no need for it. Users like that aren't a great advert for a forum or a way of getting people to come back.

But I've learnt my lesson and have discovered the hardway this guy is a clown and I will take on board next time to check who the OP is before replying!

Kirsty says that she's trained as hard as everyone else, but I question that assertion. I'm just inviting her to tell us firstly how she knows what training everyone else has done, and what training she has done.

No Wilkie you won't have a long wait. Everybody trains hard, no matter what distance they are running,because the hard part is getting up and going out there instead on sitting on the sofa! So it doesn't matter how many miles a person is running a week, so long as they are getting up, doing it and trying! As for my training, it's going great thanks and the miles are clocking up no matter what the weather!

Kirsty says that she's trained as hard as everyone else, but I question that assertion. I'm just inviting her to tell us firstly how she knows what training everyone else has done, and what training she has done.

I think I'll have a long wait for an answer, though.

For a new runner getting out and doing any miles can be just as hard (if not harder) and take just as much time as an experienced runner who is doing 60 miles a week.

Nice to see the same elitist idiots still attacking and belittling those new to our sport.

Its about the motivation. I know many people that run half/maras in memory of folks they've lost solely to raise money.

The charity makes money, the runner gets a medal that says "Hey I did that half marathon and raised x for charity" and its a memento of the day they set out on that challenge and acheived it.

Unless you are in the elite, the only person you are ever running against is yourself or maybe a couple of mates you want to better. Maybe award the medals on personal accomplishment that you enter at the start of the race or on signup?

You choose the target you want to shoot for (PB/Sub 2/Sub 1.45/Finish) and only if you meet that target do you get a medal. Might be a bit more interesting, but nearly impossible to manage in a large field

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